Striker whose 23 debut-season goals staved off relegation last season went 12 games without scoring this time as injuries took their toll

Born again Christian: Benteke is now fit - and looking like the striker who kept Villa up last season (Photo: Neville Williams)

Share

Get daily updates directly to your inbox

Thank you for subscribing!

Could not subscribe, try again laterInvalid Email

Christian Benteke insists he will be a Premier League force for years to come - and not prove to be just a one-season wonder.

Striker Benteke was a revelation in his debut campaign last term with Aston Villa following a bargain £7.5million switch from Genk.

The Belgian international smashed 23 goals, including 19 in the top-flight, to earn a new lucrative four-year contract with the Villans .

But he struggled to replicate his form earlier this season as he was dogged by injuries to his hip and knee.

The forward went 12 games without a goal from September to January, sparking claims he was a flash in the pan. But Benteke is finishing strongly after taking his tally to nine League goals with a spectacular overhead volley recently against Norwich.

“I knew my second season would be hard, because now people know me and they wait for me," said the 23-year-old. “Last season I stayed injury-free and I was able with the help of my team-mates to perform to a high level for most of the season. Now I have to confirm that what I showed last season I can maintain and even improve upon.

“It’s been difficult at times because it’s been up and down with my injuries, but this is not an excuse.

“It was quite hard when I had not scored for a few weeks, it’s a feeling of frustration. Confidence comes from scoring goals and that confidence then runs through the team.

“The most important thing though is to be able to contribute to the team, which I always try to do. But when you score and win, for any striker this is the best feeling.

“I am happy with what I am doing now because I scored nine goals with nine games to go. I know I can score again. But first I always think about the team, because if I think about the team I will be successful.”

Benteke’s heroics have helped the Villans record successive wins and they can notch three consecutive League victories for the first time under manager Paul Lambert by beating visitors Stoke on Sunday .

Villa are in confident mood after defeating league leaders Chelsea last weekend.

Benteke added: “We have beaten a fantastic team in Chelsea and we deserved to win, but now we must build on this. We want to finish this season as strongly as we can and in as high a position as we can.”

Villa came 15th last season and Benteke insists they are making good progress with the club currently 10th.

Benteke is then expecting even better for the club and himself next season.

He said: “For the moment, we are good. We are better than last season and this is important, to show progress and improvement and to try to be better.

“We are growing as a team and we are doing well. With the win over Chelsea, this is a sign of the way we are progressing.

“It’s not bad and we know we can do better, too. This is our objective in the weeks and months ahead. Next season we can be better again."